Aging effects of aqueous environment on mechanical properties of calcium carbonate-modified epoxy resin

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of different aqueous environments (i.e., demineralised, distilled and spring water) on the mechanical properties of a cold-cured bisphenolic epoxy resin modified with the addition of calcium carbonate filler, typically employed as structural adhesive. The parameters selected for the analysis have been; the kind of curing agent employed to cure the epoxy resin at ambient temperature (i.e., Mannich base and triethylenetetramine); the load of calcium carbonate added to liquid epoxy (i.e., from 1 to 3 g per 100 g of resin) and; the duration of the exposure to the different aging conditions (i.e., from 1 to 10 months). Cylindrical specimens of calcium carbonate-modified epoxy systems were tested in compression mode, before and after each of the aging regimes. The effect of the selected curing agents is very small, and they are both suitable for a cure at ambient temperature, on the unfilled epoxy on compressive maximum strength and strain at break; the choice of the hardener affects instead the compressive modulus. The CaCO3 amount was demonstrated to have a significant effect on the mechanical characteristics of un-aged epoxy systems, leading to growth in compressive modulus and maximum strength with reductions in strain at break. Generally speaking, the aging time noticeably affects the compressive properties of calcium carbonate-modified epoxies while almost negligible is the kind of water employed in each exposure regime. Notwithstanding the adverse effects of an aqueous environment on compressive mechanical properties of CaCO3-filled epoxies, these systems keep compressive modulus and maximum strength greater than, and close to, respectively, the same characteristics measured on unaged unfilled control epoxies, demonstrating the positive effect of the addition of this kind of filler to epoxy-based structural adhesives, especially with the addition of 2 and 3 g of CaCO3 per 100 g resin. The results obtained in this study demonstrated that it is possible to contrast the detrimental effects observed in cold-cured epoxy-based structural adhesives due to their aging in water upon the addition of limited amounts (particularly at 2 and 3 g per 100 g resin) of a cheap CaCO3 filler

The effect of ageing in water solution containing iron sulfate on the mechanical properties of epoxy adhesives

This study investigates the effect of operating factors such as seasoning in water solution containing iron (II) sulfate—FeSO4 (5 different water solution variants were tested) on the mechanical properties of an adhesive compound made of epoxy resin and amine curing agent, in a ratio of 100 g resin to 12 g curing agent. Strength tests of cured adhesive compound samples were performed on the Zwick/Roell Z150 testing machine in compliance with the EN ISO 604 standard. During the tests, compression modulus, compressive strength and compressive strain were measured. Obtained results served as a basis for analyzing the effect of a water environment containing iron sulfate on a given adhesive compound. It has been found that too high iron sulfate content in water has a negative effect on the mechanical properties of adhesive compound samples

Methodology and some results of study of frequency and waveform effect on the fatigue crack growth resistance of heat-resistant steel

Investigation of frequency and waveform effect on the fatigue crack growth resistance of heat-resistant 12Cr1MoV steel of a thermal power plant header after exploitation is presented. The studies showed that the crack growth is very non even. The increase of fatigue crack growth rate was 0.2-0.65 mm. The decrease of loading frequency at 500 C decreases significantly the FCG rate on the right part of FCG diagram

Research on influence of cyclic degradation process on changes of structural adhesive bonds mechanical properties

ArticleThe paper deals with an influence of a cyclic degradation process on changes of a shear tensile strength of single lap-shear adhesive bonds and their elongation according to ČSN EN ISO 9142. Five one-component structural adhesives used in a construction of car body works were used within the research. The degradation of adhesive bonds is a significant factor which influences a quality and a service life of adhesive bonds exposed to environment. A main requirement in production companies is not only reaching satisfactory initial mechanical properties but namely ensuring a reliability and a safety of adhesive bonds during their usage. These reasons show a great importance of adhesive bonds tests either directly in the operating environment or by a simulation of operating conditions in laboratories. The degradation process of adhesive bonds worsens mechanical properties of not only the bond itself but also of the bonded material. This process is progressing and it is usually permanent and irreversible. It is a change of mechanical and physical properties which can endanger a safety and a reliability of parts, prospectively of the whole equipment. It can leads up to a complete failure of its function in the extreme case. A temperature, a moisture, a direct contact with water and chemicals or an atmospheric corrosion belong among the most serious degradation agents. It is important to take into regard time of the processes influence at the same time which can act either independently or concurrently when their effects grow stronger. From that reason the adhesive bonds were exposed to the cyclic degradation process according to the standard ČSN EN ISO 9142. Subsequently, the adhesive bonds mechanical properties were tested on universal testing machine and by means of SEM analysis (TESCAN MIRA 3). Results of mechanical tests proved a fall of the shear tensile strength of single lap-shear adhesive bonds after 42 cycles of the degradation process of 12.8 to 21.7%. The bond strength fall was gradual and it showed a linear trend at some adhesives. Other adhesives showed a significant fall after the exposition to the degradation process after which the strength fall stabilized

The influence of selected factors on the strenght of wood adhesive joints

This paper examines the effect of selected factors on the wood bonded joint strength. The structural factor under scrutiny was the geometry of the surface area; however, other major dimensions of adherends were compared as well. The tests were per-formed on 6 joint types: butt, v-shaped, interlocking, scarf, tongue & groove, and single lap joints, which were formed on two types of substrate materials – pine and oak wood, and adhesively bonded. The joints were bonded with Prefere 6312 wood adhesive and Loctite 3430 two-component epoxy adhesive. Strength testing of the joints was performed on Zwick/Roell Z150 material testing machine, according to DIN EN 1465 standard. The results obtained from the tests indicate that bonded joints of oak wood exhibit higher strength properties than those of pine wood adherends, which was confirmed in nearly all strength tests

Evaluation of methods to estimate production, biomass and turnover of ectomycorrhizal mycelium in forests soils : A review

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Forest litter as the mulch improving growth and ectomycorrhizal diversity of bare-root Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings

In this paper, we report the influence of pine, oak and spruce forest litter on the growth and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) formation of Scots pine seedlings after the first growing season in a bare-root forest nursery. The mixture of collected forest litters and humus were used to obtain a 20-cm mulching layer on the prepared seedbeds. The concentrations of all nutrients and the C/N ratio of growth media were significantly higher in forest litter treatments than in negative control represented by mineral soil without litter. Addition of each forest litter type significantly enhanced pine seedling height and root-collar diameter compared to negative control. A significant positive influence on dry mass of stem, needles, roots and total dry mass of the seedling has been found only for pine litter. Based on molecular identification, seven ECM fungal taxa (Wilcoxina mikolae, Suillus luteus, Cenococcum geophilum, Meliniomyces bicolor, Laccaria laccata, unidentified Atheliaceae, unidentified Ascomycetes) were distinguished in the observed mycorrhizal communities. Each forest litter type significantly increased the total number of mycorrhizal tips and ECM fungal diversity compared to the control soil. However, results showed a lack of significant differences in species composition and relative abundance of ECM fungi between different litter types. Such result suggests that forest litter has not been a key source of inoculum for tested fungal species, as root systems of all pine seedlings from different litter types were dominated by a few nursery- adapted ECM fungi, probably originating from natural air-borne inoculum. Our data rather indicate that forest litter considerably improves environmental conditions for development of ECM fungi previously present in the nursery soil. Therefore, any of the forest litter types used in our studies may be able to promote planting stock quality on a small scale in the nursery phase

Spectral observations at the CILBO observatory: calibration and data sets

Stars and planetary system